Pearl of The Orient - A Weekend in Penang

Asam Laksa, Hokkien Prawn Mee, Loh Mee, Ice Kacang, Char Kuey Teow... What these dishes have in common? Yes, you have probably got it right; they are all especially famous in Pearl of The Orient – Penang of Malaysia.

I was there in Penang for the recent weekend, 27 – 28 May, with a bunch of LTP54 fellows for all about food. Yes, I always believe that we should periodically re-charge our spiritual energy in working life or you risk over-stressed with your never-ending work loads.

A month ago, I kicked-start the plan for this trip, code named Zinc, with collaborations from our honored hosts in Penang – Sze and Jess.

Following are the participants who rocked our way at the north for passion of food:
- Amy
- Jess (host)
- JS
- Ke Ai (my gf)
- Phick Lian
- Shalyn
- Sze (host)
- Tien Soon
- Travis

Except the hosts, JS and Phick Lian, the rest of us (Amy, Shalyn, Travis, my gf and I) departed from Plaza Rakyat Pudu Raya at 11.55PM of 26th May. JS and Phick Lian left Kuala Lumpur in the morning of 26th May and headed to Taiping before joining us in Penang on 27th.

Fast forwarding to 5AM of 27th May, we were crossing the Penang Bridge. The first spot that caught my attention early in the morning is the condo building structure that resembles Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur. It has the sky bridge as well. Soon, we reached the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, and Sze came to pick up 5 of us with her new Myvi.

Guess what's the first attraction we visited in Penang? Give you 3 chances, with Lebuh Bukit Jambul as the hint.

Ok, there goes your first guess in vain.

Try harder for the second attempt.

Sorry for cracking your head figuring out the attraction I mean here, you probably wonder what the place that opens for public visit early in the morning.

Try harder for your third guess.

Oh no, you probably got it wrong for all 3 attempts. The answer is, Sze's house. Yes, her five-storey bungalow is such an attraction to us that we requested for a tour haha.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Had a quick refresh, brushed our teeth and washed the face, we headed for Kek Lok Si Temple located at Air Itam. It was 7AM. We took our breakfast at the Air Item market, which looks like a conventional Chinese town. I ordered Hokkien Mee (not the fried one, but prawn mee) and Pork Mee. Wait, when I say 2 bowls, it doesn't mean I'm the one eating all, but to exchange half of each with my gf, so can try more varieties.



My breakfast in Penang caught me in surprise that the food is relatively cheap; yes, very cheap. Penang is considered quite a well-developed town, and yet the foods are averagely tagged at RM2.50.

After breakfast, he walked towards the small village skirting Kek Lok Si Temple, and followed the ascending steps with both sides surrounded by stalls. It was too early, and none of the stall or shop was operating. So we were kind of walking in a silent street with deem light coming from the rising sun. We followed the big sign board pointing to Kek Lok Si Temple, which suppose to lead our way through a tortoise pool. But, we again, we were too early, and the shuttle was closed. We stepped backward to the junction, and took the direction which doesn't have any sign board directing to Kek Lok Si Temple. Not much of difference in distance, we still made our way to the main entrance.


The Ban Po That Pagoda of Kek Lok Si Temple, which resembles uniqueness of China, Thai and Burmese Buddhist architecture.

It was about 8AM. But still, I repeat, we were too early. Every door to the places of worship was still closed. We were hanging around taking photos, and Jess came along to join us at 8.25AM. In order to kill the time, we decided to walk towards the ascending hill to visit the great statue of Goddess of Mercy - Kuan Yin.

Just a short distance walk and we came to an entrance with a sign board written as follows:
Statue of Kuan Yin
Car Park

But, we were too smart in interpretation. I thought it meant that this entrance is just leading to a car park! What we did? Ignored the entrance, and continue walking upward in the breezing morning. The walk wasn't seemed right; we keep on walking at the ascending path, but couldn't find other entrance anymore. However, there were cars going up and down at the hill, and we said “I think we are reaching soon; 'cos so many cars passing by, there should be something up there”

Thank God, suddenly Sze's sister was driving through the same road, and wondering where we were heading to. Yes, don't laugh! Obviously we made a mistake. If we keep on walking upward, we will reach a dam, instead of the statue of Kua Yi. Luckily Sze's sister came at the right time.



So? Walked down the hill again, and we finally entered the entrance we ignored earlier haha. At that time, it was about 9AM. Finally, we came to the correct place featuring great statue of Kuan Yin. Undeniably, the 100 Ft/ 30 m height bronze statue is amazingly great! This temple dedicated to Goddess of Mercy is still yet to be completely constructed, but major structures are already visibly seen. It is surely another great attraction when the whole architecture is built.




My gf and I posing at the zodiac series. Yes I'm born in the piggy year :)




Shalyn (left) and Jess

Worth a mention, that the place has a great view facing George Town as well.

Then, we took the inclined lift to go down the hill, which costs RM2. According to the announcement board, the profits gained from operation of inclined lift are contributed into upgrading and maintenance of the temple.



In Kek Lok Si, practically every corner is an attraction. The buildings are very well-maintained, and oriental arts are resembled everywhere. Needless to mention, all the Buddha statues were featuring impressive craftsmanship. All these are not possible without contributions from visitors around the world.

Around 10.30AM, we left Kek Lok Si Temple and went down the hill, to meet up with JS and Phick Lian who came at 9.30AM. At this moment, all the shops and stalls along the path of rock steps have began their daily routine business. It was a huge difference from the time we walking up. The silent place was turned into a market, and the not-so-broad walkway has only a narrow path left.

Fort Cornwallis

We went back to the Air Itam market, planned to take Asam Laksa as brunch. However, it was only 11AM, and the stall was still closed. According to its neighboring stalls, the Asam Laksa will only be available from 12PM.

If we were to wait there for an hour, it’s a waste of time. So, we decided to visit Fort Cornwallis before taking lunch.

The traffic was slow moving in town. It took quite some time for us to travel by car.

Fort Cornwallis, located in George Town and directly facing the sea, is one of the most remarkable historical sites in Penang erected in 1786. It is named after the Governor-General in Bengal, Charles Cornwallis. Admission fees for an adult is charged at RM3. The fort is surrounded by brick walls.



Some of the original structures built are still well-preserved in the fort, such as chapel, gunpower storage area, and several bronze canons. Interestingly, one of the canons called the Seri Rambai, was believed to help woman’s fertility.

The Fort Cornwallis is not just merely featuring some historical structures, but facilities like tourist information kiosk, café, open-air amphitheatre, gallery, and souvenir centre as well.



There at Fort Cornwallis, an incident proven that animal is hazardous to Amy. Next to the history gallery, there’s a small field with 2 ponies. I went into the fenced area and posed for a picture while the pony was enjoying his lunch (eating grass). My gf does the same as well. Next, when it comes to Amy’s turn, the pony suddenly made a little jump and stepped forward. Caught all of us in shock! Luckily Amy was fast to react, and didn’t fall down from the brick wall. Recently she has got some interesting incidents with the animals.

Someone among us was experiencing bad mood there at Fort Cornwallis.

After the distant walk at Kek Lok Si Temple in the morning, and exposing ourselves under the hot sun at Fort Cornwallis, most if not all of us, were feeling hungry, thirsty, and a little tired. It’s time to indulge ourselves with delicious food and cold beverages.

Lunch at Lorong Selamat and Air Itam Market

When thinking about delicious food, I’ll simply get excited easily. Sze asked us what to have for lunch, whether the famous Char Kuey Teow at Lorong Selamat, or other alternatives. My first reply was “never mind, we go for Char Kuey Teow”. But according to Sze, at times there are long queue and we might need to wait.

“No big deal, wait ma wait lo. Can order other food to eat while waiting for Char Kuey Teow”

So there we go, lunch at Lorong Selamat. At this place, not only the Char Kuey Teow is found, but a number of stalls selling other local delicacies, such as Asam Laksa, Hokkien Mee, Curry Mee, Poh Piah, Ice Kacang, Rojak, and etc.



In Penang, it seems that delicious foods take some self-service efforts. For the Char Kuey Teow, we actually need to queue up, not just to make order, but to wait for our turn and carry the plates ourselves as well. What to do, for the sake of salivating food, a queue worth the efforts.

Looking at the way the lady cooks the Char Kuey Teow, you know for sure it’s gonna be good. She doesn’t get the kuey teow fried up, but just moderately get it cooked within a minute. So, each plate is served at balanced juiciness. The Char Kuey Teow costs RM5.50 for each plate, and comes with 3 big prawns.

Feeling very hungry, I ordered a plate of Char Kuey Teow, curry mee, and Poh Piah. Not to forget, the Ice Kacang - perfect companion for hot sunny day. Yummy yummy.

The Poh Piah in Penang is sold at minimum quantity of 2 pieces in a plate. “wah…. Still got minimum quantity, want to buy 1 piece also cannot”

That’s not all, our lunch doesn’t stop here. Guess what, we went back to Air Itam market to have our Asam Laksa.

On the way there, we stopped by at Him Heang biscuits.




From left: Amy, Shalyn and Travis

Finally, we were at the Air Itam again, for Asam Laksa. The Laksa in Penang is differing from the one in Melaka. Personally, I still prefer the Baba Nyonya Laksa in Melaka.

Check-in at Hotel Vistana

At this moment, it wasn’t lunch time anymore. Everyone was also feeling tired and needed a rest. Thus, we proceed to check-in the 3-room apartment we’ve booked at Hotel Vistana, located at Bukit Jambul. The Hotel Vistana is within walking distance to the Bukit Jambul shopping complex.

Sze’s brother knows someone from Hotel Vistana and he has got us a good deal.

The apartment unit at Hotel Vistana is very much worthy. The 3 rooms are fitted with a King-sized bed, a Queen-sized bed, and single bed in the smallest room. There are 2 bathrooms, a living hall, a kitchen, and a refrigerator as well. The whole unit is equipped with 4 1.5HP air conditioners. Yet, it doesn’t cost us more than RM200.

I was started to feel sleepy as well. Right after organizing ourselves into rooms and washed the face, I went to take nap for an hour, and woke up at 6PM.

Seafood Dinner at Batu Maung Fishing Village

At 8.15PM, we left for our dinner. At first, we planned to have our dinner at the hawker stalls of Gurney Drive. But, we made a last-minute change of mind, and switched our plan for a seafood dinner.

We weren’t too sure of where exactly to have our seafood dinner though. All we know is that the industrial park and surrounding areas are full of seafood restaurants. With this hint, we ended up at Batu Maung fishing village.

At Penang, Travis and Amy are practically losing the advantage of deciding what dishes to order. ‘Cos they can only speak in Cantonese and English, but not Hokkien at all. While JS and I were ordering the dishes, they were cracking their head trying to understand and figure out what they will be eating next.











Our menu for the night is: sambal asparagus, taufu, bamboo clams, Indonesian prawns, salad prawns, crabs, and grouper.

Well, in general, the dishes were rated as average; none can be tagged as good by me. We weren’t satisfied with the grouper though. The meat was tough even at the tail, not an expected deep sea catch.

Gurney Drive

It was about 10.30PM that we left the restaurant. What’s next? We headed for a stroll at Gurney Drive. Despite the nearby Gurney Plaza, the Gurney Drive looks very similar to Klebang beach in Melaka. I mean the kind feel.

Coincidently, JS met his friends at Gurney Drive, and Phick Lian was ignored so came to join us for some chit chats.

Nothing much interesting going on after this. Soon it was 12 mid night, and we went back to Hotel Vistana and end our activities for the day. Shalyn was extremely tired.

There in Hotel Vistana, a few of us watched the 1.30AM breaking news, and came across the saddening earth quake tragedy occurred in West Java of Indonesia.

28th May

We’ve planned to wake up at 7AM and get ourselves ready for breakfast. Yes, my alarm was triggered and rang at 7AM, but immediately got deactivated by me, and went back to sleep again, till Amy knocked my door at 7.45AM hahaa.

What a good morning, and TV channel was showing the classical Superman cartoon dated back to 80’s.

Dim Sum Breakfast



Hohoho… exciting moment came again. We left Hotel Vistana at 9AM for dim sum breakfast. This time, we were at Maxim Dim Sum. As expected, it was full of crowd, and everything from picking the dishes to filling hot water is self-serviced during weekends and public holidays. Yes, it takes some efforts to enjoy good food, but worth it.

To my surprise, the whole meal of dim sum for 9 adults only cost us RM63! To me, this is definitely way too cheap. Usually, my experience of having dim sum with 8-10 friends will easily have a bill going beyond RM100.

It was raining in the morning. We went back to Hotel Vistana to pack up our belongings and prepare to check-out before continuing with our itinerary. Thanks to Sze’s brother for settling the accommodation arrangement, from checking in to checking out.

Snake Temple





The first tourism spot we visited on 28th May, is the Snake Temple, built in 1850. In earlier days, this temple used to have a number of snakes living there as natural habitat. These venomous snakes could be seen coiling round the pillars, beams and potted plants within the temple compound, and yet imposing no harm. However, due to the increasing number of visitors, interruption has caused the snakes to leave, or at least can't be seen simply coiling around everywhere. Today, the snakes in Snake Temple are mostly kept in an exhibition hall for a more proper care.

Penang Botanical Garden


From left: Phick Lian, my gf and Jess

Sze asked if we would like to continue the last spot of our Penang visit with a shopping complex, or watching monkey. Instantly, we’ve got a reply from JS: “see monkey!”

Yes, true, nothing encourage us traveling from KL to Penang and yet to visit shopping complex haha.



See monkey? Where’s the place that we went actually? Not a zoo, but the Penang Botanical Garden.

I was surprised to see the pool of ice cream sellers at the entrance of Penang Botanical Garden. Not only that, their business is so amazingly good that, the stacks of ice cream cons prepared for business are practically hanging around surrounding their motorbike. Following the crowd, of course we treated ourselves with ice creams as well.

An event called Tang Lung Festival was going on at Botanical Garden. But of course, the decorations will only be lightening up at night. A few winning entries of bicycles decorated with floral arrangements were also on display. Needless to mention, there’s a floral market selling cactus and orchids as usual.

Live to Eat

It was 2PM, time for us to leave for lunch, before leaving Penang with the bus scheduled at 3.30PM.

We went to a place that I don’t know where it was, but I remember the hawker centre was named as 云顶餐室. There were quite a number of varieties of food for selection, and I ordered the Hokkien Fry, Loh Mee, and Poh Piah.

There I have difficulty ordering my Soya Bean beverage, due to variation of Hokkien accent. I call it “Tau Ni Zui”, but Penangite calls it as “Tau Zui” haha. In general, I think my Hokkien of the Southern peninsula Malaysia is only about 70% applicable in Penang.

Finally, we were at the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal again, traveling back to Kuala Lumpur for routine working life with the re-charged souls.

I was feeling so full after coming back from Penang, and I skipped my breakfast for the following Monday. How nice if I could have nice foods at my working place. Too bad, the fact remains, that the foods available here at my work place really sucks. Wondering why they can’t cook better, and yet charging so high.

In this trip, despites the fun we have in traveling and eating, a number of incidents was recorded as well. But I don’t think you need to know what are the incidents, and I’m not going to tell as well *winks*